There are many reasons to connect with faculty. As mentors, faculty can give advice on academic, personal, and career issues. They also can be great references. In fact, many places you apply will ask for a reference who can attest to your academic skills. Also, faculty members can provide advice about and insight into their field of interest.

Meeting the Challenge

Meeting with a faculty member outside the classroom will complete this challenge. Examples include:

• Meeting with a faculty member during his/her office hours.
• Arranging a coffee meeting on campus.
• Inviting a faculty member to lunch.
• Scheduling a time to talk to a faculty member about research opportunities in his/her department.

Helpful Resources

• SYE Programs: Faculty Dinners
• Declaring a major and getting a major advisor (typically a faculty member)
• Departmental information sessions
• One-on-one meetings with professors
• Classes, lab sessions, and other events where you regularly interact with faculty

What comes next?

Connecting with faculty members puts you in a position to receive great advice and guidance.

• Be open to advice. Faculty can provide great advice on course selection and other academic issues, especially if they are your major advisor.
• Learn about new experiences or opportunities. Faculty can direct you toward opprotunities and experiences that will apply the skills you are gaining in the classroom.
• Learn about career opportunities and workshops. Faculty can recommend programs that help you maximize your future professional opportunities.
• Benefit from their experiences. As mentors, faculty can give great advice on how to responsibly balance academic, social, and personal stress so that you can care for yourself and be at your best.
• Find out about what else your faculty member is involved. Some faculty members serve as advisors for student groups, and could tell you a great deal about their organization.
• Many faculty members will go out of their way to help students they know well by writing letters of recommendation and even critiquing resumes.

Finally, let faculty get to know you too! Faculty members can be great connections that you will know and respond to throughout the course of your Emory career. Many faculty members are genuinely interested in you and your life. Don't be afraid to open up and make a new friend.